HOUSTON -- An LA Fitness club that had an estimated $200,000 in damages from a recent break-in reopened Tuesday evening.
An employee at the Houston club on Highway 6 said this morning that operations at the club have returned to normal. The floor in the club was still damp from a recent cleaning of the rugs, the employee added.
On Sunday morning, employees arrived at the club to shattered windows, paint thrown across floors and trashed offices, according to local media reports. Fire extinguishers also were discharged. The Fort Bend County (TX) Sheriff’s Office responded to the club just before 5:50 a.m. Sunday.
Investigators say someone made a forced entry into the club, possibly around 4 a.m., by breaking the front window that leads to the pool area of the club. That person then poured about four gallons of paint throughout the club and set a small fire that activated the sprinkler system, which caused extensive water damage to equipment and the building.
Although suspects are still being sought, Chief Deputy Craig Brady told local media that the club recently changed management and several people were laid off.
When asked about the incident, an LA Fitness official from the company’s corporate office declined comment to Club Industry.